Unification Notes

Posted: Sunday, January 14, 2001

In 1990, the question of uniting Athens and Clarke County was decided by totaling all votes cast countywide. In three earlier referendums, the proposal had to gain a majority in both the county and the city.

1990 -- 59.32 of all voters support unification

City of Athens -- 58 percent in favor

Yes: 3,618

No: 2,624

Clarke County -- 60 percent in favor

Yes: 4,636

No: 3,036

1982 -- 49.94 percent of all voters support unification

City of Athens -- 55 percent in favor

Yes: 2,611

No: 2,120

Clarke County -- 45 percent in favor

Yes: 2,388

No: 2,883

1972 -- 48.26 percent of all voters support unification

City of Athens -- 52 percent in favor

Yes: 3,263

No: 2,961

Clarke County -- 42 percent in favor

Yes: 1,707

No: 2,367

1969 -- 47.96 percent of all voters support unification

City of Athens -- 60 percent in favor

Yes: 2,538

No: 1,703

Clarke County -- 29 percent in favor

Yes: 789

No: 1,907

Source: Athens Daily News, Aug. 8, 1990

SPENDING COMPARISON

Here's how much general fund operating expenditures rose from 1990 to 1997 in four unified governments in Georgia, adjusted for inflation:

Albany/Dougherty County -- 58.34 percent

Gainesville/Hall County -- 40.43 percent

Warner Robbins/Houston County -- 33.41 percent

Athens-Clarke County -- 20.97 percent

Source: Richard W. Campbell, University of Georgia Carl Vinson Institute of Government

THE COST OF UNIFICATION

Estimated one-time costs incurred by Clarke County and Athens during unification:

$470,353 -- one-time operating or capital expenses

$5 million -- implementation of the classification and compensation studies recommended by outside consultants